new bike or salvage old one

I'd love some advice here ladies! I am starting to research a new road bike for next spring and am wondering whether I am better off trying to salvage what I have which is a '93 Cadex (Giant) carbon fiber or buying new. I used the Cadex for 5 years while training for and competing in about a dozen triathlons. I think I paid a little over $500 for it. The bike never treated me well and left me with a lot of shoulder and back pain. I think the frame may be too big or the geometry is off for me. DH thinks I can get by with the Cadex by playing around with the stem length, upgrading the saddle - just bascially giving the bike a makeover. OR - would this money be better spent just buying myself a new bike. I'd probably spend up to about $1000. I plan on this being my major form of exercise this spring/fall/summer and will probably ride 100 to 150 miles per week. Anyone have advice to offer?

It would depend upon your budget...I tried to stick with an old bike (a 1983 Vitus) that was simply too big. It was not until a bad crash put an end to it that I was able to tell myself that I could get a new bike. And what a difference it has made!

You might consider getting a fitting done, either professionally, or at the least from a website like wrenchscience. That way you could see if your old bike would work for you by changing things, or if it is so far off that you should just get a new one.

How long does carbon fiber last?

your bike is 13 years old?

speaking from a new purchase platform:

I was riding a 1989 Trek 1100 which I loved!! I've put close to 5000 miles on that bike in just about a year. No real complaints about that bike except that it was just a titch too tall...............until last night:

I tried a bike that fit me like a recliner just as soon as I climbed on, and I knew right then and there the Trek 1100 had never really fit me well, I had just made it work. My vote would be to get a new one that will fit you better, and then either set that bike for your specs, or get a fitting. My new bike is the 2007 Trek 1000-T with carbon forks and seatpost and I paid under $700 for it, so getting a good road bike for under $1000 is doable.

gee, Cinnamon
if you LOVED the bike i'd say work with it; but I'm guessing you can find something different within your budget!!

It doesn't hurt to test ride a few just to see how much of an improvement a new bike will make!